In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself. During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her. Veronica Roth is the New York Times bestselling author of Divergent, the first in a trilogy of dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

My Thoughts: I absolutely loved Divergent! Veronica Roth built a world where each faction had their place in a society to make it a better place, but is it really better? Beatrice’s “Tris” decision to leave her own faction was heart wrenching. Roth expertly brought those feelings to the forefront and I can’t imagine myself having the courage to make the choice that Tris chose. I admired her courage to choose her own path rather than the path that was “expected” of her by her parents.

“But I have to see my parents one more time. I look over my shoulder at the last second before I pass them, and immediately wish I hadn’t. My father’s eyes burn into mine with a look of accusation. At first, when I feel the heat behind my eyes, I think he’s found a way to set me on fire, to punish me for what I’ve done, but no – I’m about to cry.” p. 48

As Tris goes through the initiation process to become a Dauntless faction member she discovers her true self, something she had not been able to recognize or acknowledge as a member of Abnegation. The initiation process is extremely difficult and their trainer, Four, infuriates Tris at times but also intrigues her and what first starts out as frustration slowly develops into something more….

Tris learns that there is something different about her and that difference could put her in real danger if discovered. There is a deeper mystery going on within the factions. As she comes to the realization of what is happening, will she have the courage to fight what is happening?

Adventure, love, mystery…an amazing story and I can’t wait for Insurgent!